Chilombo, Jhené Aiko’s third and most up-to-date album, is again on vinyl.
Initially launched on March 5, 2020, Chilombo is a chilled-out physique of labor that got here from a spot of freedom and unfettered creativity. Aiko described the album on the time as being product of “freestyles where I touch on many subjects and relationships…past, present, and future.” Aiko additionally brings a variety of musical relationships to the forefront on Chilombo, welcoming visitor contributions from the likes of H.E.R., NAS, John Legend, Dr. Chill, Ab-Soul. She additionally brings her romantic and musical relationship with Massive Sean, with whom she shares her son Noah, to the physique of labor. The 2 had additionally beforehand recorded music collectively as TWENTY88.
Chilombo additionally sees Aiko experimenting with the sound of Tibetan crystal sound bowls, typically referred to as “singing bowls.” “I was really using them for myself — like therapy — an alternative to self-medicating and not dealing with how I’m feeling,” the musician mentioned in a 2021 interview with Selection. “I just found them very relaxing and soothing, and even addictive to play, like literally the motion of playing the sound bowls felt good to me.” For the totally different tracks on Chilombo, Aiko researched the keys and the chakras every bowl represented, bringing totally different bowl sounds to a ballad like “Pray for You” than she would have used on a extra sexual track like “PU$$Y Fairy (OTW).”
The efforts paid off properly for Aiko, and never simply musically. Chilombo racked up three nominations for the 2021 Grammy ceremony, together with the coveted Album Of The 12 months class. The work was additionally nominated for Finest Progressive R&B Album, and Aiko’s duet with John Legend, “Lightning and Thunder,” earned a nod for Finest R&B Efficiency. Chilombo additionally acquired the Excellent Album trophy from the NAACP Picture Awards in 2021.
Purchase Jhené Aiko’s Chilombo on vinyl now.
